Bob Frankston Bio

This page provides information about my professional background and
interests.

I've been working with computers since 1963 and with online
services since 1966. Though I'm proficient in the technologies, my interests
are more focused on the applications of the technologies as well a wide
range of other issues and concepts.

Academic

Stuyvesant is one of the Science/Academic schools in New York City. Helped
start the computer curriculum. Spent time
at New York University's Courant Institute,
where I gained experience on larger systems. There is a link back to this
site on their
Alumni page.

Business and Professional

Member of CommonAngels
concentrating on early and seed stage investements.

1993-1998

Microsoft Corporation,
where I focused on the consumer use of computers, in particular,
home networking. This effort played a central role in today's home
networks and repurposing broadband service networks for Internet
connectivity. This effort involved assuring that Windows as "Internet-ready"
as well as addressing protocol, infrastructure and working with
carriers on policy issues to create a coherent "just works"
experience.

1990-1992

Slate Corporation, working on mobile and pen-based systems.
Slate focused on pen-based and mobile computing.

1985-1990

Lotus Development, where
I created the Lotus Express product and a Fax facility for Lotus
Notes.

1979-1985

Founded Software
Arts in 1979 with Dan Bricklin
to develop and sell VisiCalc.
VisiCalc was the first electronic spreadsheet program and remained
a widely used program for personal computers for many years. (If
you're interested in VisiCalc history, please
send me mail.)

1977-1978

Consulted for ECD corporation in 1977 and developed a very extended
Basic for their multiprocessor 6502-based system. ECD eventually
learned the lessons of selling below cost and is no longer with
us.

1966-1979

Worked at
White-Weld
and Company in their computer research division, which later
became Interactive Data Corporation, in various
roles doing systems design and implementation. White-Weld was one
of the earliest financial information services and used the Scientific
Data Systems 940 to provide time-sharing services. Later, at IDC,
developed tools on their own version of IBM's VM system. These projects
included an interactive debugger and a VM-based mail system (predating
Profs).